I'll be surprised if India does not clinch World T20 title: Mohammed Azharuddin

Former India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin tipped Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s brigade to reclaim the World T20 title which kicks off on March 8 in India.

Mohammed Azharuddin

Azharuddin said he would be surprised if India did not win the ICC World T20. “We will be champions in World T20. We are playing good cricket and have a tremendous batting line-up. More importantly, our bowling has become sharper. They (the bowlers) gained momentum in Australia (with 3-0 win in T20 series),” Azharuddin told mid-day yesterday.

“We will be playing on batting tracks, so the chances of our spinners doing well will be very high. The balance of the team is important. We have a good mix of youth and experience. India have players who can perform under pressure. India will have to play really badly to not win the World T20 title. I will be surprised if that happens,” added Azharuddin.

‘Dhoni should not quit’The ICC World T20 is also touted to be the last tournament that India will see Dhoni leading the side. There is also speculation that he might hang his boots from international cricket after the event.

Azharuddin, however, is not in favour of Dhoni stepping down as skipper. “It is entirely up to Dhoni. I wouldn’t agree if it happens. He should not quit. He is still the best wicketkeeper-batsman. Wriddhiman Saha is not consistent as a batsman.

This team needs a bigfinisher. Why should you miss out on a great finisher like Dhoni? In fact, I did not support his retirement from Test cricket too,” said Azharuddin.

Dhoni quit as Test captain in the midst of India’s tour of Australia in 2014-15. He has continued to lead the country in limited overs cricket, but lost the T20 and ODI series against South Africa at home last year. In Australia recently, after losing the ODI series 1-4, they won the T20 series.